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Belgradkapı is a small neighborhood in Istanbul, Turkey, that straddles the Theodosian Walls of Constantinople.
Introduction to Belgradkapı
Belgradkapı is named for the Belgrade Gate (Belgrad Kapısı), which corresponds to the Byzantine Xylokerkos Gate (Πύλη τοῦ Ξυλοκέρκου). The Ottomans named the gate for the Serbian artisans resettled there after Süleyman the Magnificent conquered Belgrade in 1521. There are no reminders of the Serbs who once lived there, other than an Orthodox church, and they’re assumed to have either assimilated or moved back to Serbia.
The neighborhood is located in both the Zeytinburnu and Fatih districts, north of Yedikule and south of Silivrikapı and Sümbül Efendi. There’s very little reason to visit other than the Belgradkapı Visitor Center on the Theodosian Walls.
Panagia of Belgrade Greek Orthodox Church
First, on the inside of the gate is the Panagia of Belgrade Greek Orthodox Church (Παναγία Βελιγραδίου / Belgradkapı Panayia Rum Ortodoks Kilisesi). It was originally built by resettled Serbs in 1523 and dedicated to St. Paraskevi, whose relics were once kept there. They were moved to the Pammakaristos Church in 1539.
The current church was built in 1837 by Greek architect Hadji Nikolaos and measures 24.24 meters long x 14.58 meters wide and is 9.5 meters high. It consists of a central nave with two aisles and features elegant woodwork. The cross above the door to the courtyard is dated 1895.
The church was nearly destroyed during the 1955 Istanbul pogrom. Rioters broke into the church and set it on fire, destroying the iconostasis, icons, and all relics. It took the next 10 years to renovate the building. Another renovation took place in 1999.
Peace and Culture Statue
Just outside the gate in the middle of an intersection is the Peace and Culture Statue (Barış ve Kültür Heykeli). It was erected in 2001 and portrays three hands holding up a half globe with olive branches. The hands represent the Turkish, Greek, and Armenian people living in Zeytinburnu. Three olive branches extending from the globe symbolize peace.
